Does Network Marketing Work?

You did not make a mistake by deciding to join a Network Marketing company. Billionaires like Donald Trump, Robert Kiyosaki and others have openly endorsed the Network Marketing industry as a way for average people to get extraordinary results. Companies are generating sales in the billions per year and you CAN get your share of that money.

Donald Trump says," Network marketing has proven itself to be a viable and rewarding source of income…"

I agree. I have been in the Network Marketing and Direct Sales industry for over fourteen years. The income has enabled my wife to retire at age 39 and I have retired at age 46.

You know and have probably met leaders in your company or others that are making incredible amounts of money. The question is, if they can do it, can you? I believe you can. Maybe you need a different company. Maybe you need a service to sell instead of a product. There are many companies and options to choose from. Find what works for you. Don’t give up. Don’t quit.

Is having a "Why" really important?

Why did you start in the Network Marketing industry? Chances are you had a reason. Was it big enough, was it something you could only accomplish with MLM? Revisit your WHY and dig deep. You will need to have a reason that is big enough to keep you going when times get hard. When the sponsoring stops. When the money gets tight.

If there was another way to get what you want you would have done it? So the choice is to make Network Marketing work for you or give up your dream. There is no other choice in this equation. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. You can get what you desire. Why go back to the masses that have no dream. Don’t quit. You can do this.

Why do I feel like my friends don’t get it"?

You are different. You are not like everyone else. Just by reading this, trying to make it work and not quitting you are in the top 4%. Ninety-six percent of the country is happy to wait for the government to bail them out. Ninety-six percent of the country will do nothing to better themselves. They have a victim mentality. You, my friend, are an entrepreneur.

The people at your conventions, meetings and those who will listen to you are good to be around. Like minded people have a common cause and rally for that cause. In the right Network Company it’s the people who will pull you up. It is an amazing feeling to know that they believe in you more than you believe in yourself at times. I like these people. When I retired more cards, well wishes and phone calls came from my primary network company than from the people I worked with for 24 years.

You have already, or will in the near future, form incredible relationships. They can last a lifetime and carry over into other areas of your life. I want my children playing with the children of other networkers. They will read our books and hear the mantra of "Can’t is not allowed to be said in our home". I have a friend who actually took correction fluid and removed the word "can’t" in his son’s dictionary. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Your children are watching.

Are you continually improving yourself?

If you are not where you want to be right now, maybe its time to look under the hood. Your company should have a program for self improvement. Books, CD’s, seminars and other educational materials should be available to you. If money is your reason for not buying books, then go to the local book store and read for free. The library has been a free resource since we were children but today there are books on tape too. Books on CD are fantastic for those with a busy life. You can listen to CD’s in the car while driving or on your MP3 player or Blackberry device.

Matt Parr says’ "If you are a leader of one, you can be a leader of many. If you can’t lead one you can’t lead any." He was talking about leading your self first. Get the knowledge you need to get to when you need to be. Get rid of the old "Stinking thinking." While on a program of never ending self improvement you will learn the communication skills, people skills and raise your belief level in yourself.

You can do this. You can change if you need to. I did. Don’t quit. Never give up.

Why is now the best time in history for MLM?

Now is the best time in history to be involved in a Network Marketing Company. As the economy bottoms out more people are in "the looking zone". People are uncomfortable with what is happening with the economy and in their lives right now. Teachers and government employees are concerned about the future of their Pension systems. Self employed people are seeing more government regulation and must increase their overhead on health care for employees. Real estate is at a stand still. Some people I know have mortgages on properties whose values are less than the amount owed on them. People are looking for options and some control in their lives. You have the answer.

You, as the owner of a Network Marketing distributorship can connection to people in need. I stopped selling products and started to be an information provider to people who complain about the economy or the need for more money to make ends meet. By sharing the opportunity we have to offer, people are given a choice. Most will say no to your business but keep sharing that opportunity. If the company you are with now does not provide the best value for others consider switching to a better one. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. You are one company or one person away from a breakthrough. Thousands of people in my primary network company are making the money they need and have the lifestyle they want. You do not know how big an impact you can have.

Is it OK to try a few other companies?

We are talking about a business here. Maybe you did not do your homework on the first company you joined. I went through three companies before I found the one that worked for me. In the beginning I wanted to sell products, but the economy changed and so did the way people thought. In a traditional business start up capital is huge, tens of, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. In Network Marketing start up fees are a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Be thankful your first company got you in the industry and move on if you need to.

Before you do, take a good look at yourself and see if you are following everything your companies system is telling you to do. Be honest. If you have out grown your present company, if they changed the way they do business, if the commission structure is not profitable or the product is no longer a value to your customers, it may be time to start looking. You know what to look for now. Take your new knowledge and experience and charge forward. Don’t give up.

Have you taken the Stop Watch Test?

The rubber meets the road here. Are you really doing what it takes to build a successful Network Marketing Company? I would listen to tapes and read training material. I would collect business cards and organize my contact list but I was not making the money I wanted. Then I read an article in a Success magazine that was written by Daren Hardey. He asked the question, "Are you doing what it takes?" Let’s face it, the only activity that will get you to the big money is making calls and showing the business plan to others. Daren suggested getting a stop watch. He said to only click it on when you are on the phone booking a meeting or at the meeting showing the business.

The results of that exercise were an eye opener. My time totals were under twenty minutes most days, some days nothing. Hardey stated that unless that number increased to two hours a day I was just kidding myself. Two things struck me, first was the two hours - that is not a lot of time. The second was that I had been lying to myself. I regrouped, worked hard to reach the two hour a day mark and the success started to pour in. I didn’t quit. I didn’t give up. Take an honest look at your efforts and start again. You can do this.

Do you know what to do?

If you have been around for even a short time, you know what to do. The mechanics of this business are easy and any reputable company has a system.

Now is the time for ACTION. Nothing is going to happen unless you get out there and show your business to other people. Remember we are just providing information to others. Stop selling and start sharing with those who will listen. Say less to more people.

What if you don’t have enough time to build a Network Marketing company?

Remember when you looked at your opportunity? One of the more attractive features of a home based business is that you are part of a team. Your host likely introduced you to some of the others who where available to help you. Leverage your time and put the company’s system to work.

My commute was forty minutes. I used that time to make one or two calls. If you do not have the time to close the deal and fill out the paperwork use your team. There are people with more time than you who will help you. Find the right people to work with in your company and if they do not exist, try another company with an established team who is willing to go to work for you.

Can you save money in Taxes with an MLM?

It is no big deal to start a company and receive the tax breaks you are entitled to. Forget the high price lawyers and head to your local county seat. The clerk will walk you through the simple process of choosing your business name and registering your new company. Then, get some of your own business cards made up. You will feel better handing them out. Next, go to your bank and open a business checking account to receive even more benefits. If your bank does not offer free banking, go somewhere else.

I do not know the laws or claim to be an accountant or CPA, but I do know a person with a part time business can take more tax deductions than an employee. For example, you may be able to deduct car expenses, gasoline, some meals and entertainment, cell phones or computers. Obviously, you need to check with your CPA. In Network Marketing education, books and conventions are important for staying in the game, they may be a tax write off too. Go pro and start your company today.

Are there any MLM’s that do not take your points away at the end of each month?

Yes, some Network Marketing companies have very good compensation plans. When looking at a company find out about the point structure. It is much easier to get to a check when you do not have to start at zero each month. I know of some companies that will wait years for you to hit the required point value and still pay out. Do your homework and ask the hard questions. After all, you are going to do the work anyway. Make sure the compensation plan is right for your needs.

Is it true that top money earners advertise?

Yes. The top earners do not tell you, but many advertise in addition to meeting people and making calls. Today anyone can advertise. You can do so cheaply and sometimes even for free. Be careful. Many companies prohibit the use of their logos or names in distributor ads. There are many courses on how to advertise a Network business effectively. Get some information before you spend your money.

Start with social media like Facebook, Twitter and Linked–in. Use them correctly, use them to build relationships and not to directly pitch your product or company. Give Word Press a try. Once you are familiar with the Blog it is easy to turn it into a hosted web page.

How do I get over the fear of rejection?

Stop selling and start listening. You can not get rejected if you do not sell your product up front. Listen when you talk with people. Hear what they are saying. If there is a problem that you and your MLM Company can solve, then share that information with them. Give them the information they need to make an informed decision. Guide your prospect but let them decide for themselves whether your solution is the one that they want to choose. Keep talking and listening to people around you, your product or solution will be right for some of them. Don’t give up.

My last MLM failed and my friend lost money, what do I say?

Network Marketing is a business. Nine out of ten traditional businesses fail. Why should MLM be any different? If you brought your friend into the other company honestly and with good intentions then admit you picked the wrong company last time. Tell him you made a mistake and having him lose money was never your intention. Share why you are excited again and why the new company is appealing to you. Ask for his input and review the new company together. Use what you learned to move closer to your dream of financial freedom. Show your commitment and keep moving forward. Network marketing works and you can build a successful business. It took me a few companies to find the right one. Everything changed after that. Now I am an industry leader. You can be too. It all happens so fast. You can do network marketing. Don’t give up.

Are conventions worth the money?

I get this question often. Money is tight for the new networker. A convention can cost $1000 with airfare and lodging. So is it worth it? If you have never been to a convention it is a must that you go. Here is the reason why, you see the big picture at large events. Your business will be built on how you feel about your company.

When you walk into the ballroom and see 5000 people it can be overwhelming. All those poeple said "Yes." To that opportunity. Thousands and thousands of people and you only need a few good ones to make a lot of money.

Look at the people talking from stage, they’re probably not any sharper than you. If they are genuine and you ask, they will tell you they just got more "No’s" than you. They failed more. That is how they got more.You can do this. Go out there and mess it up. Get more ‘No’s’.

How do I appraoch successfull business owners to become part of my network?

Do you actually have something to offer? Have you listened to your prospect and found the connection? If your product or service can actually benefit him the approach is easy. "I think I have something that you can benefit from." If your prospect is looking for the business end, (the making money part), it is the same thing. "I think I have something you can benefit from." The difference is how you tailor what comes next.

If your product or service fits his needs the sale should be easy. State the benefits to him and ask for the sale. If it’s the opportunity you want to sell, then run him through your companies system just like everyone else. Business owners are my favorite prospect. They have the money, they are use to spending it to grow a business and they respect other’s opportunities. Be honest and offer your MLM. The best ‘No’s’ I have ever gotten are from huge business owners. Most of the time they say, "Thank you but this is not something I wish to peruse at this time." Go for it!

How many times should I call someone back if they do not respond?

Sometimes life happens and a prospect does not get back to you or pick up the phone when you call. There comes a point when you are chasing and that is not good. You have to come from a position of strength and begging someone to get in, listen or take the call is not the way to do it. I have a two call rule. If they can not be reached after the second call I leave a message that is appropriate. Something like, "I’m calling you back with more information like you asked me too. I have a lot going on and I won’t be able to keep calling you. Sorry, call me if something changes." And DO NOT call back.

This puts you in a place of posture. To make this work well have a huge list of names and just keep going. You do not need any one person. You are looking for a few good ones. Don’t quit and keep moving forward. You can do this business.

Where can I find more names to add to my list?

You know 500 to 1000 people. Distributors tell me all the time they do not have any one to call. I disagree. Have you called everyone in your high school year book? How about all the people that came to your wedding? Did you call every contact in your cell phone yet? All of your doctors? Doctors are a hot market right now. Your opportunity may not be what they want to do but most are looking to pay off loans and increase income. All the teachers at your child’s school can be added to your list. Then go through everyone you do business with.

You may not want to ask everyone on the list but the names are there to call. A great leader in the MLM industry says, "You miss 100% of shots you don’t take."

How do I call someone I have not talked to in a long time?

First thing is be honest and state the obvious. "Hi Bob, this is Joe. I haven’t talked to you in a long time but I though about you when I was deciding how to expand my business. You still live in Denver right? I want to expand there. When is a good time to call you when we can go over the details and see if this is something that can work for both of us?"

You have many gifts to give.

In closing I’ll say this. Knowing what you know about Network Marketing, how lucrative it can be, the friendships that can develop and the fun you can have, it is your obligation to share your business. If you are not passionate about the company you are with find another one but keep charging! Don’t quit! Never give up!

People need what you have to offer. You, my friend, know about the secret of Network Marketing. You have seen the potential. So what if you’re not good at it? Share this and find those who are. You will be rewarded for the introduction. You are the giver of hope, the provider of opportunity and the person someone is waiting for.

I believe in you. You CAN do this!

Bonus: A long time ago a Spanish invader took an army of men to a new world in search of gold. They knew who had it and they knew the fight would be hard. The gold had laid with the defenders for hundreds of years. As the Spanish leader landed on the shore he instructed the men to unload their boats. Then he instructed them to burn their boats. Burn OUR boats? Yes he said. If we are going to go home, we are going to go home in their boats. Thus guaranteeing success. Burn your boats! Be victorious! You can do this!